"You never go to India and get served up green wickets. And they've come out here and we've served some wickets up that have really suited them. Having said that, they've outplayed us and we've got to go to Sydney and improve."

The Melbourne pitch offered little pace and bounce for Australia's fast bowlers, who toiled for almost two days as India scored 443/7 declared in its first innings. Australia was bowled out for 151 as India claimed a 292-run advantage on the first innings.

Paine said Australia's strength was its pace bowling.

"That's been the one disappointing thing," Paine said. "It seems we've rolled up some wickets here in Australia that have taken away from our strengths, which is pace and bounce. You'd like the slips to come into play eventually."

Both sides are considering playing two spinners in the Sydney Test beginning January 3 on a surface that is expected to take turn.